October 1, 2024
The voting membership of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies passed ten resolutions during its Business Meeting held on September 25, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.
RESOLUTION 2024-01-10: USE OF THE HUNTER EDUCATION CORE CURRICULUM AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR REGULATED HUNTING IN NORTH AMERICA
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies advocates for the use of the hunter education core curriculum standards by all jurisdictions, including student learning objectives as developed by the IHEA-USA Standards Committee or equivalent standards developed by IHEA Committees in other jurisdictions, to meet hunter education certification requirements; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association encourages the continued reciprocal acceptance of any certificate demonstrating completion of courses that meet the standards of IHEA-USA.
RESOLUTION 2024-02-10: SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO SUPPORT INSTREAM FLOW AND WATER LEVEL CONSERVATION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies supports the Council’s and AFS’ Feasibility Assessment and efforts to establish an interdisciplinary instream flow and water level conservation training, research, and development center and shall offer subject-matter expertise and technical assistance via its staff and its committees as appropriate and practicable.
RESOLUTION 2024-03-10: SUPPORTING THE AFWA-ACP-EWAC COMMUNICATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT PROPONENTS AND STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association endorses and supports the “AFWA-ACP-EWAC Communications Framework for Solar Energy Proponents and State Fish and Wildlife Agencies” and shall provide guidance to its member agencies in implementing the framework; it shall collaborate with state, provincial, territorial, tribal, federal, private, and international entities in sharing information across sectors and disciplines; and it shall continually evaluate the efficacy of and need for the framework, as well as assess opportunities for improving the framework.
RESOLUTION 2024-04-10: SUPPORT FOR THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY FOR AMERICA’S FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, in adopting this Resolution, recognizes the Climate Adaptation Strategy for America’s Fish, Wildlife, and Plants as an important resource that will support state fish and wildlife agencies in their efforts to better understand and determine how they can contribute to helping our natural resources adapt to a changing climate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the Association encourages its members to use the Strategy to enhance their capacity to address climate change and inform efforts to address climate change impacts to fish and wildlife.
RESOLUTION 2024-05-10: SUPPORT FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT (NAWCA)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies reaffirms its support for the reauthorization of NAWCA and encourages Congress to reauthorize this important piece of bipartisan legislation as soon as possible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association supports continuation of the current funding sources for NAWCA from federal appropriations; and the dedication of interest derived from the Wildlife Restoration account to the end of fiscal year 2035.
RESOLUTION 2024-06-10: RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARTNERS IN AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION (PARC)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association celebrates the substantial accomplishments of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in growing unique, purpose-built conservation networks at the regional, national, and transnational levels to address a wide range of threats to North America’s herpetofauna.
RESOLUTION 2024-07-10: RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (NABCI)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (“Association”) recognizes the unique and impactful accomplishments of the U.S NABCI Committee over the past twenty-five years since its inception, in collaboration with and because of a diversity of partnerships, including federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and conservation initiatives, raising the awareness of and promoting successful solutions for addressing the recovery of all North American birds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association reaffirms its commitment to support the U.S. NABCI Committee by continuing to engage state fish and wildlife agencies in the work of the Committee, acting as a willing partner for the benefit of migratory and resident birds, coordinating priorities across shared committees and initiatives, and helping to achieve the goals of the Committee as stated in the Strategic Plan.
RESOLUTION 2024-08-10: RECOGNIZING THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTHERN WINGS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (“Association”) recognizes the substantial and visionary accomplishments of Southern Wings over the past fifteen years for the conservation of priority migratory bird species throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, complementing the existing work of state fish and wildlife agencies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association reaffirms its commitment to expand and grow Southern Wings by encouraging participation in the program by state fish and wildlife agencies for the benefit of migratory birds via the contribution of maximal voluntary funding for full annual life cycle conservation.
RESOLUTION 2024-09-10: IN OPPOSITION TO THE RELEASE OF CAPTIVE-BRED CERVIDS INTO FREE-RANGING WHITE-TAILED DEER POPULATIONS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association recognizes the severe threat of CWD in captive and free-ranging cervid populations, supports the need for further scientific research of this threat, and endorses management practices based on the best available scientific information; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Association reaffirms and supports the authority of state, provincial, and territorial governments to protect and manage cervid species held in public trust; and
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Association opposes the release of any captive cervids into the wild to influence free-ranging cervid population genetics for the purpose of controlling or managing CWD, based on the current best scientific information, and encourages its members in their own jurisdictions to promote and implement the best scientific management practices for CWD.
RESOLUTION 2024-10-10: APPRECIATION TO THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR A SUCCESSFUL 114TH ANNUAL MEETING
WHEREAS, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (“Association”) convened its 114th Annual Meeting on Sept. 22-25, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS the Association has done its business this week at Monona Terrace, a facility designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who pioneered a vision of architecture centered on harmony between people and nature; and
WHEREAS, since 1967 (under laws dating back to 1867), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) has provided for the conservation of all wild animals within the State of Wisconsin, including for recreational purposes; and
WHEREAS, in 1924, during a period of significant organizational change within WI DNR’s predecessor agencies, Dr. Aldo Leopold came to Wisconsin and until his death in 1948 worked to enhance public participation in conservation decisionmaking within his adoptive home state; and
WHEREAS, state, provincial, and territorial directors began this Meeting with a trip to the Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm, touring its rich expanse of grassland, marsh, floodplain forest, and farmland while reflecting on Dr. Leopold’s achievements in communicating the demands of conservation and the indispensable role of nature in our individual and communal lives; and
WHEREAS, this year’s Plenary Session, “The 75th Anniversary of A Sand County Almanac: Fullness of Nature and Wellness in Our Time,” engaged with Leopold’s literary legacy and enduring insights, and the essential role of fish and wildlife agencies in ensuring public access to the restorative benefits of nature; and
WHEREAS, Diane Brusoe, Administrator of WI DNR’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and her excellent staff have ensured a successful Meeting through their steadfast hospitality and coordination;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Association offers its deep gratitude to WI DNR and to all Association members for a productive, reflective, and successful Annual Meeting.
Read full text of all resolutions.